Which one? On the picture above, there is only a thrust control lever. As Ernie explains:

In the X3, the TCL on the center console isn’t touched. Forward thrust is applied by thumbing a small, momentary-contact, hat switch mounted on the collective. Push it forward to increase the power, tap it backwards to decrease it. The TCL moves forward and back as the hat switch is actuated, but is only manipulated by hand as an emergency procedure if the hat switch fails.

The TCL, the handle located on the centre console, is actually not used during the flight. It is only hereas a backup.

Thrust Control Lever, on the central control panel in the Eurocopter X3 cockpit

Now, look at the collective below and find the hat switch.

hat switch on the collective used to increase translational speed in the Eurocopter X3 prototype high speed helicopter

“Are you ready to go flying?” asked Jammayrac. “Yes, sir,” I replied. “All you have to do is push the throttle switch forward,” he instructed. “Don’t do anything else.” And that was when the X3 stopped being a helicopter and became a King Air!

Regardless of whether I “beeped” the throttle hat switch on the collective or held it forward, I could feel the power come in.

The day was rather grey, not providing much hope for a VFR weather. Shortly before my arrival at the airport, I was surprised to follow two trucks carrying wrecks. 2 Bo-105, easy to recognize, but not to identify. No clear markings were displayed, only the distinctive olive colour would let you imagine a previous life in the air force.

Once every month, the South African Air Force museum in Zwartkop, Gauteng, flies its helicopters. This small air show is opened to the public, but only few people actually come. Unlike major crowded meetings, this makes the event very nice to attend.

What would you see there?

Helicopters, of course, and other aircraft, such as the Harvard. The helicopters are military, with the corresponding colour and markings. Consequently, it is not so easy to distinguish them from the landscape. Photographers would complain that the subject does not really stand out.

Alouette II landing on parking in front of the South African Air Force museum, Swartkop, Gauteng